Update on ultraviolet A and B radiation generated by the sun and artificial lamps and their effects on skin

Solar radiation, especially ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), can cause damage to the human body, and exposure to the radiation may vary according to the geographical location, time of year and other factors. The effects of UVA and UVB radiation on organisms range from erythema formation, through tanning and reduced synthesis of macromolecules such as collagen and elastin, to carcinogenic DNA mutations. Some studies suggest that, in addition to the radiation emitted by the sun, artificial sources of radiation, such as commercial lamps, can also generate small amounts of UVA and UVB radiation. Depending on the source intensity and on the distance from the source, this radiation can be harmful to photosensitive individuals. In healthy subjects, the evidence on the danger of this radiation is still far from conclusive.     

Existing and potential applications of ultraviolet light in the food industry – a critical review

Short‐wave ultraviolet light (UVC, 254 nm) can reduce dramatically the microbial load in air or on hard surfaces free from food residues, and can eliminate pathogens from potable water filtered to remove organic residues and ‘clumps’ of bacteria. More recently, approval of the Food and Drug Administration (USA) has been sought for a system for the destruction of pathogenic bacteria in fruit juices using UVC, and the same approach could perhaps be applied to remove spoilage organisms from cider or wines. In contrast, long‐wave UV light (UVA, >320 nm) has limited microbiocidal properties, and for practical applications its effectiveness has to be enhanced by the presence of photosensitive compounds (eg furocoumarins) that will diffuse into a microbial cell prior to irradiation. The penetration of UVA into water is better than that of UVC, and its bacteriocidal action in the presence of photosensitisers can be rapid. However, pure furocoumarins are expensive and their addition to foodstuffs might be questioned on safety grounds. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inactivation of foodborne pathogens by the synergistic combinations of food processing technologies and food‐grade compounds

There is a need to develop food processing technologies with enhanced antimicrobial capacity against foodborne pathogens. While considering the challenges of adequate inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms in different food matrices, the emerging technologies are also expected to be sustainable and have a minimum impact on food quality and nutrients. Synergistic combinations of food processing technologies and food‐grade compounds have a great potential to address these needs. During these combined treatments, food processes directly or indirectly interact with added chemicals, intensifying the overall antimicrobial effect. This review provides an overview of the combinations of different thermal or nonthermal processes with a variety of food‐grade compounds that show synergistic antimicrobial effect against pathogenic microorganisms in foods and model systems. Further, we summarize the underlying mechanisms for representative combined treatments that are responsible for the enhanced microbial inactivation. Finally, regulatory issues and challenges for further development and technical transfer of these new approaches at the industrial level are also discussed.     

Relationship between growth of food‐spoilage yeast in high‐sugar environments and sensitivity to high‐intensity pulsed UV light irradiation

The relationship between prior growth of food‐spoilage yeast in high‐sugar environments and their subsequent survival postpulsed UV (PUV) irradiation was investigated. Test yeast were separately grown to early stationary phase in YPD broth containing increasing concentrations of glucose (1–50% w/v) and were flashed with ≤40 pulses of broad‐spectrum light at lamp discharge energy settings of 3.2, 7.2 and 12.8 J (equivalent to UV doses of 0.53, 1.09 and 3.36 μJ cm^?2, respectively) and their inactivation measured. Findings showed that prior growth in high‐sugar conditions (≥30% glucose w/v) enhanced the sensitivity of all nine representative strains of Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Z. rouxii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast to PUV irradiation. Significant differences in inactivation amongst different yeast types also occurred depending on amount of UV dose applied, where the order of increasing sensitivity of osmotically stressed yeast to PUV irradiation was shown to be Z. rouxii, Z. bailii and >S. cerevisiae. For example, a 1.2‐log order difference in CFU mL^?1 reduction occurred between Z. bailii 11 486 and S. cerevisiae 834 when grown in 50% w/v sugar samples and treated with the uppermost test UV dosage of 3.36 μJ cm^?2, where these two yeast strains were reduced by 3.8 and 5.0 log orders, respectively, after this PUV treatment regime compared to untreated controls. The higher the UV dose applied the greater the reduction in yeast numbers. For example, a 1.0‐, 1.4‐ and 4.0‐log order differences in CFU mL^?1 numbers occurred for S. cerevisiae 834 grown in 15% w/v sugar samples and then treated with PUV dose of 0.53, 1.09 and 3.36 μJ cm^?2, respectively. These findings support the development of PUV for the treatment of high‐sugar foods that are prone to spoilage by osmotolerant yeast.     

Mass spectrometry‐based lipidomics in food science and nutritional health: A comprehensive review

With the advance in science and technology as well as the improvement of living standards, the function of food is no longer just to meet the needs of survival. Food science and its associated nutritional health issues have been increasingly debated. Lipids, as complex metabolites, play a key role both in food and human health. Taking advantages of mass spectrometry (MS) by combining its high sensitivity and accuracy with extensive selective determination of all lipid classes, MS‐based lipidomics has been employed to resolve the conundrum of addressing both qualitative and quantitative aspects of high‐abundance and low‐abundance lipids in complex food matrices. In this review, we systematically summarize current applications of MS‐based lipidomics in food field. First, common MS‐based lipidomics procedures are described. Second, the applications of MS‐based lipidomics in food science, including lipid composition characterization, adulteration, traceability, and other issues, are discussed. Third, the application of MS‐based lipidomics for nutritional health covering the influence of food on health and disease is introduced. Finally, future research trends and challenges are proposed. MS‐based lipidomics plays an important role in the field of food science, promoting continuous development of food science and integration of food knowledge with other disciplines. New methods of MS‐based lipidomics have been developed to improve accuracy and sensitivity of lipid analysis in food samples. These developments offer the possibility to fully characterize lipids in food samples, identify novel functional lipids, and better understand the role of food in promoting healt.     

Bifurcaria bifurcata: a key macro‐alga as a source of bioactive compounds and functional ingredients

The aim of this work was to study the proximate composition and the bioactive profile of Bifurcaria bifurcata. It contains 73.31 ± 0.69% of moisture, 8.57 ± 0.11 g per 100 g dry weight (d.w.) of protein, 5.81 ± 0.14 g per 100 g d.w. of lipid content and 30.15 ± 0.00 g per 100 g d.w. of ash. The polyunsaturated fatty acids were the most abundant fatty acid (FA), accounting for 2426.56 mg per 100 g which represents 41.77% of the total FA. The methanolic fraction showed high quantity of polyphenols (220.01 ± 0.010 phloroglucinol equivalents g^?1 extract), DPPH radical reduction capacity (EC₅₀:58.82 μg mL^?1) and oxygen radical absorbent capacity (3151.35 ± 119.33 μmol Trolox equivalents g^?1 extract). The highest antimicrobial effect was observed against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11.3 ± 1.5 mm) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (IC₅₀:17.07 μg mL^?1) induced by methanolic and dichloromethane fractions, respectively. Dichloromethane fraction revealed the highest antitumor activity on Caco‐2 and HepG‐2 cells. Bifurcaria bifurcata can be a promising source of bioactive compounds and functional ingredients.     

The development of fruit‐based functional foods targeting the health and wellness market: a review

Functional foods and their health benefits beyond individual nutrients present challenges to the traditional ‘nutrition’ approach to foods. Epidemiological studies suggest that regular or increased consumption of fruits may promote general health and well‐being as well as reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Therefore, a broad range of research amongst academic, industry and government institutes has been stimulated in attempts to add the goodness of fruits into popular consumer foods. This article provides a brief overview of the research opportunities in the emerging functional foods area, with an emphasis on fruit‐derived products. Based on recent research in the fruit‐based functional food area, a structured approach for designing and developing functional finished products is presented. Included are the technical challenges and their associated solutions during food design, formulation, processing and storage. A consumer‐oriented food product development process is highlighted. Controlling the interactions among the targeted bioactives and other food components during food processing, handling and storage is the key to ensure that a stable and appealing functional food is produced. Manipulating the beneficial synergies among food ingredients, and among food formulation and processing methods, has the potential to lead to substantial food innovations.     

Assessment of chemically characterised Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil and its major compounds as plant‐based preservative in food system based on their efficacy against food‐borne moulds and aflatoxin secretion and as antioxidant

The study explores antifungal, anti‐aflatoxigenic and antioxidant efficacy of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil (ROEO) and its major compounds. In addition, the mode of action of ROEO and its practical efficacy as preservative have been assessed. GC‐MS analysis of ROEO identified 16 compounds; α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineole and camphor being the major compounds. The minimum concentration for inhibition of growth and aflatoxin B₁ secretion against A. flavus (LHP‐6) was found to be 1.5, >5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 μL mL^?1 and 1.25, >5.0, 3.5 and 3.0 μL mL^?1 for ROEO, α‐pinene, 1,8‐cineole and camphor, respectively. The IC₅₀ value through DPPH analysis and percentage inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation of ROEO were 0.042 μL mL^?1 and 71.05%, respectively. The targeted site of antifungal action of ROEO was confirmed as plasma membrane through ergosterol measurement and TEM analysis. Moreover, ROEO significantly protected Piper nigrum fruits against mould infestation upto 6 months in in vivo trial.     

Influence of malting and lactic acid fermentation on functional bioactive components in cereal‐based raw materials: a review paper

Driven by increased health awareness among consumers, the production of foods and beverages enriched with functional bioactive components is gaining more attention. Malting and lactic acid fermentation are biotechnological processes having potential for producing functional foods and beverages. Due to various biochemical and enzymatic induced changes in raw materials, malting of cereal grains and probiotic lactic acid fermentation of plant‐based media increases the nutritional quality of treated raw materials. The improved nutritional quality is attributed to the accumulation of functional bioactive components along with the degradation of anti‐nutritional components. The selection of raw materials and process parameters are important factors to be considered for increasing the functional bioactive components such as dietary fibres, antioxidants and probiotics. This review article reports the current knowledge on the changes of bioactive components during malting and lactic acid fermentation using probiotic bacterial strains. Process parameters which affect the concentration of bioactive components in raw materials will also be described.     

Effect of thermal and non‐thermal pasteurisation on the microbial inactivation and phenolic degradation in fruit juice: a mini‐review

Fruit juice has been traditionally preserved by thermal pasteurisation. However, the applied heat can cause detrimental effects on health‐promoting components such as phenolic compounds. Several non‐thermal technologies such as membrane filtration, pulsed electric field (PEF) and ultraviolet (UV) exposure are promising methods developed for liquid food preservation. In particular, the combination of UV and PEF has proven to be more effective for microbial inactivation and maintaining nutritional quality of fruit juice compared with individual applications. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production,safety, health effects and applications of diacylglycerol functional oil in food systems: a review

Abstract

Diacylglycerol (DAG) is a world leading anti-obesity functional cooking oil synthesized via structural modification of conventional fats and oils. DAG exits in three stereoisomers namely sn-1,2-DAG, sn-1,3-DAG, and sn-2,3-DAG. DAG particularly sn-1,3-DAG demonstrated to have the potential in suppressing body fat accumulation and lowering postprandial serum triacylglycerol, cholesterol and glucose level. DAG also showed to improve bone health. This is attributed to DAG structure itself that caused it to absorb and digest via different metabolic pathway than conventional fats and oils. With its purported health benefits, many studies attempt to enzymatically or chemically synthesis DAG through various routes. DAG has also received wide attention as low calorie fat substitute and has been incorporated into various food matrixes. Despite being claimed as healthy cooking oil the safety of DAG still remained uncertain. DAG was banned from sale as it was found to contain probable carcinogen glycidol fatty acid esters. The article aims to provide a comprehensive and latest review of DAG emphasizing on its structure and properties, safety and regulation, process developments, metabolism and beneficial health attributes as well as its applications in the food industry.     

Date fruit: a review of the chemical and nutritional compounds,functional effects and food application in nutrition bars for athletes

Date fruit is an excellent source of nutritional and health benefits. The chemical composition of dates includes carbohydrates, dietary fibre, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins, enzymes, phenolic acid and carotenoids, all of which are directly linked to nutritional and health benefits for consumers. A number of studies have also confirmed the therapeutic effects of dates and their efficacy in the treatment of many disease conditions. As a result, a number of food products such as date syrup, date juice and date paste have been developed in order to harness the nutritional potential of dates. Adequate sources of nutrition are important for all consumers, especially for active lifestyle individuals such as athletes and sportspeople. As the goal of every athlete is to enhance athletic performance and prevent energy deficit, the use of dietary supplements has been highly recommended as a solution in this regard. For example, nutrition bars are one source of high energy and nutrients that can provide the required energy for enhanced athletic performance, and date fruits could be valorised into nutrition bars in order to help athletes to achieve their performance and nutritional goals. In this paper, we review the chemical composition and health benefits of date fruit, its food application and consequently its formulation in nutrition bars for athletes.     

Interactions between proteins and phenolics: effects of food processing on the content and digestibility of phenolic compounds

Phenolic compounds have recently become one of the most interesting topics in different research areas, especially in food science and nutrition due to their health-promoting effects. Phenolic compounds are found together with macronutrients and micronutrients in foods and within several food systems. The coexistence of phenolics and other food components can lead to their interaction resulting in complex formation. This review article aims to cover the effects of thermal and non-thermal processing techniques on the protein–phenolic interaction especially focusing on the content and digestibility of phenolics by discussing recently published research articles. It is clear that the processing conditions and individual properties of phenolics and proteins are the most effective factors in the final content and intestinal fates of phenolic compounds. Besides, thermal and non-thermal treatments, such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field, cold plasma, ultrasonication, and fermentation may induce alterations  in those interactions. Still, new investigations are required for different food processing treatments by using a wide range of food products to enlighten new functional and healthier food product design, to provide the optimized processing conditions of foods for obtaining better quality, higher nutritional properties, and health benefits. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Optimisation of the peracetic acid washing disinfection of fresh‐cut strawberries based on microbial load reduction and bioactive compounds retention

Total microbial count reduction (TMR), total anthocyanins (TAR), and ascorbic acid retention (AAR) after the operation at different PAA concentrations (0–100 mg L^?1), contact times (10–120 s), and temperatures (4–40°C) were used for multiple optimisation using Derringer′s desirability function. Two optimization scenarios (OP 1 and OP 2) were studied. OP 1 was proposed with the goal to maximize TMR with 90% TAR and AAR; and OP 2 maximizing TAR and AAR with TMR of 2 log UFC g^?1. The optimized variable levels obtained were the following: 100 mg L^?1 PAA, 24 °C and 50 s for OP 1 and 20 mg L^?1 PAA, 18 °C and 52 s for OP 2. Additional validation experiments showed agreement between predicted and experimental results. OP 2 conditions are recommended to fresh‐cut strawberries washing disinfection because of an acceptable TMR, higher TAR and AAR, better sensory attributes, and the economic convenience of lesser PAA consumption.     

Critical evaluation of the extrapolation of data relative to antioxidant function from the laboratory and their implications on food production and human health: a review

The use of the word ‘antioxidant’ has become widespread in food science, nutrition and consumer language, having become associated with potential health benefits linked to consuming sources of antioxidants in our food supply. However, there is significant doubt about direct antioxidant effects on human health. This may partly relate to methodology used for assessing functionality and activity (both in food matrices and in human health) as well as how data is extrapolated with respect to health based on laboratory analyses. In this review, the purpose and impact of antioxidants in food systems and on human health will be discussed, along with highlighting the best current methodology for analysing antioxidant effects. Consideration will also be made with respect to recommendations of how antioxidant activity should be reported, with a focus on being both scientifically accurate as well as minimising the risk of unwarranted extrapolations of benefits which might mislead end consumers.     

Comparative evaluation of microwave‐assisted extraction and preheated solvent extraction of bioactive compounds from a plant material: a case study with cabbages

Preheated solvent extraction (PSE) was evaluated via the analysis of the extraction kinetics, microstructure of extracted samples and energy consumption as alternative to microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE). Cabbage outer leaves and ethanol were used as test material and extraction solvent, respectively. MAE was first optimised in terms of glucosinolates and phenolics yields; total antioxidant activity of the extracts was also assessed. MAE at a specific absorbed power of 0.37 W g^?1 for 9 min was selected as optimum condition to extract glucosinolates and phenolics, while PSE was optimised at 6 min of the extraction. The highest normalised total glucosinolates and phenolic contents as well as antioxidant activities of the extracts obtained via MAE were not significantly different from those obtained via PSE. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed no significant differences in cabbage cell damages rendered by MAE and PSE. PSE nevertheless exhibited slightly higher specific energy consumption than MAE.